"Huh? Where did Clara go?" Hoshino looked around, scanning in all directions. She had only looked away for a second, and this airheaded rich girl had already vanished without a trace.
Akasha shook her head too. Shocked by the outrageous betting odds, she hadn't had the mental space to worry about anything else—including Keith, who had remained silent the entire time.
Hoshino frowned. "No way… Don't tell me something bad happened before the duel even started?"
"Vivian, are you looking for me…?"
Just as Hoshino began to feel a vague sense of worry, Clara reappeared from the crowd, clutching her stomach with a pained expression.
"Sorry. We were up first in the lineup, and I got so nervous I had a stomachache. I ran to the restroom just now."
Hoshino let out a sigh of relief. "You scared me! I thought you'd been kidnapped. Be careful, okay? This place is dangerous."
"Don't worry," 9527 added with a smile. "The management guarantees the safety of family representatives. So duelists, please duel without any concerns and focus wholeheartedly on your matches."
Feeling reassured, Hoshino got back to the matter at hand. "Back to business—Clara, if we keep winning and rack up 20 points, I want us to move on to the high-tier dueling arena."
According to the rules of the underground arena, each duelist could participate in up to two matches per day. With both Keith and Hoshino competing, they could play four matches in total. A four-win streak would earn 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10 points.
The next day, they'd only need two more consecutive wins to hit 10 + 5 + 6 = 21 points. In other words, best-case scenario, they could gain access to the inner circle of the underground dueling arena in just two days.
"Huh? Why? Isn't the high-tier arena way more dangerous?"
Clara didn't quite understand Hoshino's reasoning. Spending 20 points—equivalent to $2 million—to enter a more dangerous battleground didn't sound like a good trade-off.
9527 explained professionally, "In the high-tier dueling arena, each victory point is worth ten times the cash compared to the current tier."
Akasha let out another startled cry. "Ten times?! That means one win earns a million?! Oh no, Nee-chan, I think my sense of money has been completely shattered!"
Akasha, who used to struggle just to afford card packs with her allowance, was clearly in for a night full of financial shocks.
"Of course, that's only if you win there. After all, if you lose even once, duelists suffer serious physical damage—death, in the worst case."
9527's professional smile concealed a chilling coldness. It was clear she didn't think highly of the unknown "Vivian," especially since her first opponent would be Leon, who was already on a five-win streak. For Vivian, this first match could also be her last.
"You're right. For now, the most important thing is winning this duel." Hoshino pulled out her newly reconfigured deck and slotted it into her duel disk.
To avoid exposing her identity again—like what happened in the duel with Jaden—Hoshino had altered her deck. The result was a jumbled mix of cards from various builds, a mishmash with no clear theme or core.
On the stage, the tall man named Leon had already entered and was waiting. His wild, cocky grin made him look like a predator anticipating a fresh meal.
"Lucky me! Looks like the heavens are smiling on me tonight—setting me up for a six-win streak! After I win this one, I'll have enough money to retire."
Hoshino carefully adjusted her hood and jumped onto the stage. In the next instant, the iron bars surrounding the arena rose fully, cutting off any escape.
Leon looked over at Hoshino and smirked even more smugly. "Oh? Didn't expect a female duelist. Don't count on me going easy on you. If you ran into me, that's just your bad luck."
The spectators roared with laughter at the stark contrast between Hoshino's slender frame and Leon's hulking figure.
"Bwahaha! That's the spirit, Leon! This woman wouldn't even make a mouthful for you!"
"She's like an appetizer served on a platter. First duel in the underground arena and she runs into Leon? She's already dead!"
"Crush her, Leon! I bet everything I've got on you! Whether I get to party with hot girls tonight depends on you!"
With Hoshino's odds set so high, Leon's were likely around 10:1. Even though the payout was small, the rich gamblers betting massive amounts still stood to gain—bet $1 million, win $100,000. To them, it was a guaranteed win.
Barely holding back a laugh, Hoshino scanned the noisy, overconfident gamblers through her metal visor. To her, they were just pathetic little clowns.
"Consider this match your wake-up call! Enough chatter—let's go, Leon!"
[Phoenix Family – Vivian VS Klaus Family – Leon
Duel Start!]
Hoshino took the first turn. "Then I'll go first—Draw! I summon the monster card [Heroic Spirit – David] in Attack Position!"
[Heroic Spirit – David ★★★★ (Level 4)][EARTH][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1700]
The duel disk activated, and David materialized on Hoshino's field—a handsome green-haired youth holding a shepherd's staff.
"Archer David, reporting in~ I'm very capable, extremely capable, you know!"
"Oh ho! Vivian starts strong by summoning a rare and uncommon monster~ I wonder what kind of effect such a card might be hiding?"
To Hoshino's surprise, the underground arena even had a dedicated commentator—to hype up the match and help the wealthy audience, many of whom knew little about Duel Monsters, follow along.
After summoning her monster, Hoshino glanced at the remaining cards in her hand. Because of the random mix in her deck, she hadn't drawn any traps she could set.
"Oh well, I'll just bluff with a magic card." She pulled out a currently unusable Equip Spell and slotted it into her duel disk.
"—I set 1 card face-down. Turn end."
[Vivian's: 4 Hand Cards | 1 Set Card]
Leon began his turn, scoffing at Hoshino's monster.
"Using Heroic Spirit cards, huh? Interesting gimmick. But they're way too flashy for me! Dueling is all about raw power—Draw!"
Instead of summoning a monster, Leon slapped down a Spell Card.
"Spell Card activate—[Card Destruction]! We both discard all cards in our hands, then draw the same number we discarded."
Hoshino discarded her remaining 4 cards into the Graveyard and drew new ones. "Right out of the gate, you're cycling your whole hand? Your so-called power doesn't seem so overwhelming to me."
However, several audience members grinned in a way that made Hoshino's skin crawl.
"What's this?! Leon's opening with an all-out assault strategy—could this be the end of Vivian before she even begins?"
After drawing five new cards, Leon eagerly threw down a second Spell Card—
"Activate Magic Card [Level Conversion Lab]—I reveal 1 monster from my hand to the opponent, then roll a die. The monster's Level changes to the result of the roll."
Leon flipped over the chosen monster card in his hand and showed it to Hoshino. As the virtual die rapidly spun in the center of the field, the look in Leon's eyes already reflected the victory he believed was within his grasp.
"The monster I'm choosing is this card—[Gilford the Legend (Level 8)]. Just so you know, I've got some incredible luck with dice rolls."
Dice roll result: 4
9527 reported to Clara with a serious expression,
"This is bad. The opponent has practically drawn an ideal opening hand. Vivian could be in real danger now."
Clara looked flustered and panicked.
"Huh? How could this happen? Will Vivian be okay?"
"Calm down, Clara." Compared to Clara, Keith stood with his arms crossed, unusually composed.
"Ho—Vivian's not someone who'll go down that easily."
"According to the effect of Level Conversion Lab, my Gilford the Legend becomes Level 4, so I can Normal Summon it without tribute!"
Leon slapped the now-Level 4 monster onto his Duel Disk, and before him, a masked sword saint wielding a giant sword materialized.
[Gilford the Legend ★★★★ (8 → 4 Level)] [EARTH] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 2600/DEF 2000]
[Cannot be Special Summoned.]
"What amazing luck! Leon has summoned a Level 8 high-level monster right on his first turn. Vivian is in serious trouble!"
"Crush her, Leon! I'm gonna win big tonight!"
"Show that woman what absolute power looks like!"
Responding to the heated cheers of the crowd, Leon raised his Duel Disk high and declared:
"Gilford the Legend's effect: When this card is successfully Normal Summoned, I can equip it with all Equip Spell Cards in my Graveyard!"
Hoshino immediately sensed something was off.
"Equip Spells in the Graveyard… don't tell me—"
"Exactly! I sent 5 cards to the Graveyard earlier with Card Destruction, and they were all Equip Spells meant to power up Gilford the Legend!"
"Damn, that's even more shameless than Kaiba's rigged coin!"
Leon drew 5 cards from his Graveyard and filled all of his backrow slots on the Duel Disk.
"Sword of Dragon's Soul" – ATK increases by 700!
"Lightning Blade" – ATK increases by 800!
"Fusion Sword Murasame Blade" – ATK increases by 800!
[Gilford the Legend ATK 2600 → 4900]
With each sword equipped, the blade in Gilford's hands grew in size and menace.
"Next, this card—Magnum Shield—Increases the equipped monster's ATK by its original DEF!"
[Gilford the Legend ATK 4900 → 6900]
"And finally, Twin Swords of Flashing Light - Tryce. The equipped monster loses 500 ATK but can attack twice during the same Battle Phase!"
With the activation of Twin Swords, the oversized sword split into two. Now dual-wielding massive greatswords, Gilford exuded an overwhelming presence.
[Gilford the Legend ATK 6900 → 6400]
"Final ATK is 6400! Vivian is on the brink of defeat! With 5 Equip Cards stacked on him, Leon doesn't even know what losing looks like anymore!"
"This is my victory! Send her to hell, Gilford the Legend!"
Leon roared with excitement—nothing thrilled him more than the instant just before winning a deathmatch.
"—Supreme Sword Art: Heaven and Earth Twin Blades!"
Like a mountain descending from the heavens, the massive dual blades struck down toward David on Hoshino's field.
"David's effect activates! Once while face-up, he can prevent 1 'Heroic Spirit' monster on my field from being destroyed by battle, and I take no battle damage!"
"Relax, relax♪~ Healing Harp~"
David pulled out his harp and strummed gently. Targeting himself with his ability, the soothing sound waves deflected the berserker's strike.
"Also, when battling a Level 8 or higher monster, I can place 1 'Stone' counter on the opponent!"
Leon, undeterred after being blocked, shouted,
"Your monster's effects are useless before absolute power! Because of the Equip Spell Twin Swords of Flashing Light - Tryce, my Gilford can attack twice in one Battle Phase!"
Wielding his two massive swords, Gilford followed up the first blocked strike with another powerful slash.
David swiftly hurled a stone from his hand.
"This move was originally meant for giants, so I don't know how well it works against giant swords—HAMESH AVANIM!!"
[③: When battling a monster with a 'Stone' counter, this card's ATK is doubled during damage calculation only.]
[Heroic Spirit – David ATK 1500 → 3000]
[Vivian LP 4000 → 600]
[Heroic Spirit – David destroyed]
"Wow! At the last possible moment, Vivian boosted her monster's ATK with its effect and barely survived! But taking 3400 damage in one hit must've triggered serious electrical shocks!"
At this moment, the audience below cast twisted, expectant looks toward the arena. Most who came to watch these duels were only here to witness the expressions of agony when duelists took real damage.
"Not bad! You managed to withstand Leon's strike. Hope you don't get knocked out cold by the next one!"
"Quit wasting my time! Fry her already!"
However, despite the supposed "strong electric shock," Hoshino just felt a mild tingle around her neck—turns out Da Vinci, the universal genius, had already rigged the system in her favor.
Still, seeing how fired up the crowd was, showing no reaction at all might disappoint them—or worse, reveal that the shock device had been tampered with.
So, with no choice left, Hoshino cranked up her acting.
"Ugh... AAAAHHHHH (totally not forced)~ So painful! I think I'm dying! If this keeps up, I might even wet myself..."
Akasha: "=_= That's so fake, Nee-chan."
After that flawless, Oscar-worthy performance, Hoshino was almost convinced she had a future in acting.
Leon, having never seen such a ridiculous reaction to a shock before, stood there momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
"Count yourself lucky to have survived that round. But it's only a matter of time. Gilford is still standing on my field—next turn will be your last."
Leon ended his turn and lowered his Duel Disk.
"There won't be a next turn. This turn will be your last!"
Hoshino drew her card for the turn. Because her previous hand had been completely replaced by Leon's Card Destruction, the Equip Spell she'd bluffed with last turn was now surprisingly useful.
"I activate the Equip Spell Card [Magical Girl's Mystic Code]! I Special Summon a Spellcaster-type 'Heroic Spirit' from my hand and equip it with this card. The equipped monster is treated as a 'Magical Girl' monster."
Drawing a brand new artificial magical girl, Hoshino wasn't worried about exposing her identity through such an over-the-top duel style.
"—Come forth, Magical Girl Emiya!"
(*****)
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